Okonkwo publishes WhatsApp chats, maintains bribery claims against Obi, NDC

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has released what he described as evidence to support his allegations of bribery involving the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and other party leaders.

Okonkwo had earlier alleged that Obi and some NDC leaders in the South-East collected N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants and N20 million from senatorial aspirants during the party’s candidate selection process.

According to him, one of the aspirants, Obunike Ohaegbu, provided information and a receipt relating to the alleged payments.

The allegations have since sparked a legal dispute, with Obi’s legal team issuing a letter dated June 9, 2026, demanding N5 billion in damages and a public apology from Okonkwo over what they described as defamatory claims.

The letter, signed by a legal team led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), also warned of further legal action and the possibility of seeking additional damages if the demands are not met.

In a series of posts on his X account on Wednesday, Okonkwo shared screenshots of alleged WhatsApp conversations between himself and Ohaegbu, which he claimed support his assertions regarding Obi’s role in the party’s primary election process.

According to Okonkwo, Ohaegbu stated that party officials told aspirants that Peter Obi and caucus leaders assembled by him authorised the payments when questions were raised about the source of the directives.

The former spokesperson also shared portions of messages allegedly sent by Ohaegbu, in which the aspirant expressed disappointment with the party’s nomination process and questioned how candidate lists were allegedly produced without consultations or consensus meetings involving aspirants in Anambra State.

Ohaegbu was quoted as raising concerns about the integrity of the process, arguing that consensus arrangements require consultation, negotiation and agreement among stakeholders.

Defending his decision to publicise the allegations, Okonkwo said he was acting in line with his responsibilities as both a citizen and a legal practitioner.

“Let me make it clear that as a citizen and a Lawyer, I have a duty to disclose every crime against the state that comes within my knowledge,” he wrote, adding that Nigerians should not remain silent in the face of alleged wrongdoing.

Okonkwo also dismissed the demands contained in Obi’s lawyers’ letter, stating that he had not yet reviewed the document but would respond formally after doing so.

He further warned that any legal proceedings could lead to the disclosure of information he obtained while serving as a spokesperson for Obi.

Okonkwo and Obi were once political allies but parted ways after the former Anambra State governor left the ADC for the NDC.